Trinamool nominates Mithun Chakraborty for Rajya Sabha

The Trinamool Congress has nominated Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty as one of the five Rajya Sabha members to be elected from West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here Saturday.

"In our state, five Rajya Sabha members will be elected this time. One of these seats will be given to Mithun Chakraborty from the All India Trinamool Congress. Chakraborty is a well-known film personality. He has devoted his life to the cause of cultural and social activities with great success," Banerjee said on her official Facebook page.

"He is an asset not only of West Bengal, but also of the entire country. We are proud to nominate him," she added.

The Rajya Sabha election for 55 seats in 16 states is scheduled Feb 7. While the notification will be published Jan 21, the last date for filing nomination is Jan 28. The term of the sitting MPs end April 2.

The Trinamool may field candidates in all the five seats, party general secretary Mukul Roy said. The party, in its official website, said three of its five candidates might win uncontested.

The Trinamool has 186 MLAs in the 294-member assembly.

The party, during the day, claimed the support of six other legislators and exuded confidence of winning the fourth seat in case of polls.